U.S. patent number 5,486,650 [Application Number 08/151,916] was granted by the patent office on 1996-01-23 for partition for dividing a device box.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hubbell Incorporated. Invention is credited to Karl Yetter.
United States Patent |
5,486,650 |
Yetter |
January 23, 1996 |
Partition for dividing a device box
Abstract
A partition for dividing an electrical or telecommunications
device box having a substantially planar dividing member with at
least one retaining member extending therefrom for cooperating with
a mounting post on the base member of the box to support the
dividing member substantially perpendicularly to the base member.
The partition is removably retained in the box by the retaining
member frictionally engaging the post. The retaining member has a
specific amount of interference to cause the spring action in the
material and to create gripping forces around the mounting
post.
Inventors: |
Yetter; Karl (Gales Ferry,
CT) |
Assignee: |
Hubbell Incorporated (Orange,
CT)
|
Family
ID: |
22540794 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/151,916 |
Filed: |
November 15, 1993 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
174/53; 220/3.2;
220/529 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G
3/10 (20130101); H02G 3/18 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H02G
3/10 (20060101); H02G 3/08 (20060101); H02G
3/18 (20060101); H02G 003/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;174/48,53
;220/3.2,529 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Kincaid; Kristine L.
Assistant Examiner: Tone; David A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Presson; Jerry M. Tarnoff; David
L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A partition dimensioned to be releasably coupled to a pair of
mounting posts of a device box for dividing the device box into at
least two sections to separate different incoming wiring systems,
said partition comprising:
a dividing member having a top edge, a bottom edge and a pair of
side edges extending between said top and bottom edges;
a pair of brackets coupled to and extending outwardly from said
dividing member; and
a pair of gripping members coupled to said dividing member via said
brackets and configured to be releasably coupled to the pair of
mounting posts of the device box for supporting said dividing
member within the device box to divide the device box into said at
least two sections.
2. A partition according to claim 1, wherein
each of said gripping members has a slot for at least partially
frictionally engaging one of mounting posts to detachably support
said dividing member within the device box.
3. A partition according to claim 2, wherein
said dividing member is formed of a thin, substantially flat
material.
4. A partition according to claim 2, wherein
said dividing member is formed from a substantially nonconductive
material.
5. A partition according to claim 4, wherein
said dividing member, said brackets and gripping members are formed
as a one-piece, unitary, integral member.
6. A partition according to claim 1, wherein
each of said gripping members has a slot for slidably receiving one
of the mounting posts therein to removably support said dividing
member in the device box.
7. A partition according to claim 7 6, wherein
each of said gripping members is configured to at least partially
circumscribe one of the mounting posts to engage at least two
surfaces thereof.
8. A partition according to claim 13 1, wherein
said dividing member is dimensioned such that said bottom edge is
adapted to abut against a base member of the box and said top edge
is adapted to engage a lid coupled to the base member when said
divider member is installed within the device box.
9. A partition for dividing a device box having a base member with
a mounting post secured thereto into at least two sections to
separate different incoming wiring systems, said partition
comprising:
a dividing member; and
retaining means, coupled to said dividing member and configured to
cooperate with the mounting post of the device box, for supporting
said dividing member against the base member of the device box,
said retaining means being slidably receivable around the mounting
post to removably support said dividing member substantially
perpendicularly to the base member of the device box, said
retaining means comprising a gripping member fixedly secured to
said dividing member and extending outwardly from said dividing
member, said gripping member comprising a pair of oppositely facing
contacting members for frictionally engaging two surfaces on the
mounting post, respectively, said gripping member being configured
to at least partially circumscribe the mounting post to engage at
least said two surfaces of the mounting post.
10. A partition according to claim 9, wherein
said contacting members comprise a pair of oppositely facing
contact surfaces sloping away from each other to form a diverging
slot for accommodating the mounting post of the device box when the
mounting post has a tapered surface such that the cross-section of
the post decreases gradually away from the base member.
11. A partition for dividing a device box having a base member with
mounting post secured thereto into at least two sections to
separate different incoming wiring systems, said partition
comprising:
a dividing member; and
retaining means,coupled to said dividing member and configured to
cooperate with the mounting post of the device box, for supporting
said dividing member against the base member of the device box,
said retaining means being slidably receivable around the mounting
post to removably support said dividing member substantially
perpendicularly to the base member of the device box, said
retaining means comprising a gripping member fixedly secured to
said dividing member and extending outwardly from said dividing
member, said gripping member being configured to at least partially
circumscribe the mounting post to engage at least two surfaces of
the mounting post said gripping member being formed from resilient
material with contacting surfaces forming a slot that increases in
width for slidably receiving the mounting post when the mounting
post has a tapered surface such that the cross-section of the
mounting post decreases gradually away from the base member.
12. A partition for dividing a device box having a base member with
a mounting post secured thereto into at least two sections to
separate different incoming wiring systems, said partition
comprising:
a dividing member having a top edge portion which is offset from a
bottom portion for providing additional space on one side of said
dividing member along said top edge portion than the other side of
said dividing member; and
retaining means, coupled to said dividing member and configured to
cooperate with the mounting post of the device box, for supporting
said dividing member against the base member of the device box.
13. A device box assembly for housing electrical and
telecommunications devices, comprising:
a first substantially planar base member having at least two
mounting posts extending substantially perpendicularly
therefrom;
a partition with a pair of retaining members for engaging said
mounting posts to detachably support said partition to said base
member; and
a lid detachably coupled to said base member for defining with said
base member an interior of said device box assembly,
said partition being supported by said mounting posts to divide
said interior into at least two sections.
14. A device box assembly according to claim 13, wherein
said partition is coupled to said base member to divide said
interior into two substantially equal sections.
15. A device box assembly according to claim 14, wherein
an upper portion of said partition is offset from a lower portion
of said partition to accommodate a larger device in one of said
sections than the other of said sections.
16. A device box assembly according to claim 15, wherein
said lid abuts against said partition to apply a retaining force
for maintaining said partition stationary relative to said base
member when said lid is attached to said base member.
17. A device box assembly according to claim 16, wherein
said partition is constructed from a resilient material.
18. A device box assembly according to claim 13, wherein
each retaining member is configured to at least partially
circumscribe one of the mounting posts to engage at least two
surfaces thereof with the mounting post.
19. A device box assembly according to claim 18, wherein
said partition includes a thin, substantially flat dividing
member.
20. A device box assembly according to claim 19, wherein
each of said retaining member at least partially frictionally
engages one of the mounting posts to detachably support said
dividing member adjacent the base member of the device box.
21. A device box assembly for housing electrical and
telecommunications devices, comprising:
a base member having at least two mounting posts extending
substantially perpendicularly therefrom;
a partition with a pair of retaining members for engaging said
mounting posts to detachably support said partition to said base
member; and
a lid detachably coupled to said base member for defining with said
base member an interior of said device box assembly,
said partition being supported by said mounting posts to divide
said interior into at least two sections.
22. A device box assembly according to claim 21, wherein
said lid has a top wall with four downwardly extending sides.
23. A device box assembly according to claim 22, wherein
said base member has four of said mounting posts extending
substantially perpendicularly therefrom.
24. A device box assembly according to claim 21, wherein
said lid abuts against said partition to apply a retaining force
for maintaining said partition stationary relative to said base
member when said lid is attached to said base member.
25. A device box assembly according to claim 21, wherein
said partition includes a thin, substantially flat dividing member
with said retaining members extending from one side of said
dividing member.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a partition for dividing a device box
into two sections to accommodate separate devices, one on either
side of the partition. More specifically, the device box includes a
base member having at least one mounting post, and the partition
includes a substantially planar divider member with at least one
retaining member extending outwardly therefrom for removably
engaging the post to support the partition substantially
perpendicular to the base member of the device box. The retaining
member is preferably designed with a specific amount of
interference fit with the mounting post to cause a spring action in
its material and to create gripping forces around the mounting
post. The partition is therefore easily removed, as well as rigidly
held in place when installed in the box.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Improvements in the design and manufacture of various kinds of
electrical/telecom devices, such as appliances, telephones,
computers and lighting systems, have resulted in widespread
availability of these devices, as well as their increased use by
consumers. Accordingly, consumer demand for increased availability
of electrical/telecom outlets, switches, and other wiring devices
has also resulted. A demand therefore exists for reducing the cost
of electrical/telecom wiring systems, and for reducing the size of
these systems for easier installation and improved aesthetics.
To satisfy these needs, conduits have been developed to carry power
and communication lines to device boxes, in addition to
conventional wiring configurations used behind the walls of
residential and commercial buildings. Further, device boxes have
been designed to be partitioned to accommodate more than one wiring
system and various devices.
Various partitions for device boxes are known in the prior art.
These partitions are characterized by a number of limitations and
disadvantages. For example, a removable partition for an electrical
outlet box is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,472,945 to Trachtenberg,
which has conical insertion members on its bottom edge for coupling
the partition to the electrical box. Specifically, the conical
insertion members are snap-fitted into existing holes in the base
of the outlet box. Since the partition is secured to the base of
the outlet box along its bottom edge only, the partition is more
likely to be inadvertently disengaged from the base of the outlet
box, particularly when extraneous forces are applied to the middle
or top sections of the partition.
Another example of a partition for an electrical box is disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 2,887,525 to Lewus. This patent discloses a
partition that is slidably received in slots formed on opposite
sides of an electrical wiring box to divide the electrical box in
half. The slots provide support for the partition along two of its
four sides when it is inserted into the box.
Other examples of partitions for electrical boxes are disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 1,296,811 to Keller and U.S. Pat. No. 1,929,844 to
Haas. Each of these patents disclose a partition which is secured
within an electrical outlet box by screws. While these partitions
may be more rigidly secured within an electrical box than other
partitions of the prior art, these partitions are not readily
removable from the box when such removal is desired.
In view of the above, it is apparent that there exists a need for a
partition for a device box which will overcome the above problems
in the prior art, and which is relatively easy and inexpensive to
manufacture. This invention addresses this need in the art along
with other needs which will become apparent to those skilled in the
art once given this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a partition for a
device box, which has a mounting post extending from its base
member, comprising retaining members for positively securing the
partition in place within the box, while permitting the removal of
the partition from the box whenever necessary without
difficulty.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a partition
for a device box which is relatively inexpensive to
manufacture.
Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide
a partition for a device box having an improved and simplified
construction, i.e., minimal parts that effect removable and
frictional engagement between the partition and the device box.
The foregoing objects are basically attained by providing a
partition for dividing a device box having a base member with a
mounting post secured thereto into at least two sections to
separate different incoming wiring systems, the partition
comprising: a dividing member; and a retaining member coupled to
the dividing member and configured to cooperate with the mounting
post of the device box for supporting the dividing member against
the base member of the device box. The retaining member is provided
with a specific amount of interference in order to be frictionally
retained on the post for detachably supporting the dividing member
against the base member.
Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description,
which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a
preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to the drawings which form a part of this original
disclosure:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the combination of a device box and
a partition constructed in accordance with the present invention
with an electrical wiring device, telecommunications device and
cover plate adapted to be coupled thereto;
FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the device box
illustrated in FIG. 1 with the partition removed for clarity;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the combination of the device box and
the partition depicted in FIG. 1 with the lid removed for
clarity;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the base member and partition
illustrated in FIG. 3 with the lid removed;
FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the base member and partition
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 with the lid removed;
FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the combination of
the electrical box and the partition illustrated in FIG. 1 taken
along section line 6--6;
FIG. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the combination of
the electrical box and the partition illustrated in FIG. 1 taken
along section line 7--7;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the partition illustrated in FIG. 1
and constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the partition illustrated in
FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the partition illustrated in FIGS. 8
and 9 and constructed in accordance with the present invention;
and
FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the partition illustrated in FIGS.
8-10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a device box 10 in
combination with a partition 12 is illustrated in accordance with
the present invention. The device box 10 comprises a complementary
base member 14 and a lid 16 which are detachably secured together
in a manner discussed in further detail below. The base member 14
preferably has four substantially identical mounting posts 28 for
mounting electrical/telecom devices such as electrical receptacle
15a and telecommunications device 15b thereto.
The partition 12 is provided with a dividing member 17 and a pair
of retaining members 18a and 18b which cooperate with a pair of the
mounting posts 28 to removably retain the partition 12 in an
upright position with respect to the base member 14. The partition
12 is preferably dimensioned to divide the interior of the device
box 10 into two sections 19 and 20.
As shown in FIG. 3, the partition 12 is preferably disposed across
the entire width of the base member 14 and substantially centered
thereon so that sections 19 and 20 are approximately the same size.
The base member 14 is depicted as having four mounting posts 28.
Two of the mounting posts 28 are disposed in each section 19 and
20, respectively.
As seen in FIG. 3, the two retaining members 18a and 18b extend
from one side of dividing member 17. The retaining members 18a and
18b cooperate with two of the posts 28 disposed in one of the
sections 19 and 20. The partition 12 can be rotated 180.degree. to
allow for similar cooperation between the retaining members 18a and
18b and the posts 28 in the other section. This versatility can be
advantageous when accommodating different electrical/telecom
devices in the sections 19 and 20.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8, the dividing member 17 is preferably
a thin substantially flat, planar member, which is dimensioned to
extend essentially across the entire distance between two of the
sides of the base member 14. Accordingly, the dividing member 17
extends substantially perpendicular from the base member 14. The
dividing member 17 has a bottom edge 21 for engaging base member
14, a top edge 22 substantially parallel to the bottom edge 21 for
engaging lid 16, and a pair of substantially parallel side edges 23
and 24. Preferably, side edges 23 and 24 converge slightly towards
each other as they extend from bottom edge 21 to top edge 22 for
accommodating the shape of lid 16. Accordingly, dividing member 17
is substantially rectangular in elevational view.
As shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, the dividing member 17 of partition
12 is supported substantially perpendicularly with respect to the
base member 14 so that the bottom edge 21 of the partition 12
contacts, or is in close proximity to the base member 14. The
bottom edge 21 is formed to accommodate the contour of the base
member 14. Accordingly, the bottom edge 21 of the partition 12 is
provided with a plurality of indentations 25,26 and 27 to provide
clearance between the dividing member 17 and the contour of base
member 14.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the top edge 22 of the dividing member
17 can be offset to provide additional space in one of the two
sections 19 or 20 for accommodating electrical/telecom devices
requiring additional space.
The retaining members 18a and 18b extend substantially
perpendicularly from the dividing member 17, and each preferably
includes a triangular bracket 29 with one end coupled to dividing
member 17 and a C-shaped gripping member 30 coupled to the other
end of bracket 29. The gripping members 30 cooperate with a pair of
mounting posts 28 for coupling partition 12 to base member 14. Each
of the triangular brackets 29 positions its respective gripping
member 30 a predetermined distance away from the dividing member 17
so that dividing member 17 is held along the center of the device
box 10. Of course, the brackets 29 can be dimensioned either larger
or smaller to create two unequally sized sections, if needed or
desired.
The gripping members 30 of partition 12 are shaped for cooperating
with generally cylindrically-shaped or conically-shaped mounting
posts 28. Accordingly, the gripping members 30 can vary in shape
depending on the shape of the mounting posts 28 to ensure that each
of the gripping members 30 frictionally engages its corresponding
mounting post 28.
As shown in FIG. 3, the triangular brackets 29 are substantially
planar and are spaced apart from each other by a distance
corresponding to the distance between the longitudinal axes of two
of the mounting posts 28. As seen in FIG. 7, the width of the
triangular brackets 29 decreases as they extend from dividing
member 17 of the partition 12 toward their gripping member 30. Each
bracket 29 provides lateral support between the top and bottom
edges of the partition 12. The brackets 29 also provide gripping
members 30 greater flexibility to bend in conformance with the
mounting posts 28 than would otherwise be available if the gripping
members 30 were secured directly to the dividing member 17.
As particularly seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, each gripping member 30 is
preferably a semi-circular member. The respective ends of the
gripping members 30 are formed with a pair of oppositely extending
contacting members 31 and 32 having oppositely facing gripping
surfaces 33 and 34. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the gripping
surfaces 33 and 34 of each of the retaining members 18a and 18b
frictionally engage opposite surfaces on a corresponding mounting
post 28.
With reference to FIGS. 8-11, the surfaces 33 and 34 of the
contacting members 31 and 32, which abut the mounting post 28, are
curved about the longitudinal axis of the respective mounting post
28 and slope away from each other to form a diverging slot 35. This
configuration of the contacting members 31 and 32 enhances the
frictional engagement of the gripping members 30 with the mounting
posts 28 when tapered mounting posts 28 are used, i.e., when the
cross section of the mounting post increases gradually from its
free end toward the end secured to the base member 14.
The C-shaped gripping members 30 are sufficiently resilient for
allowing the slot 35 to increasingly diverge, or spread apart.
Therefore, the inner radius of the gripping members 30 gradually
increase as the gripping members 30 are guided along the mounting
post 28 toward the base member 14. In other words, the contacting
members 31 and 32 of each of the griping members 30 are spread
apart from each other to frictionally engage their respective
mounting post 28. The frictional forces between the contacting
members 31 and 32 and corresponding mounting posts 28 increase as
the gripping members 30 are mounted thereto. Accordingly, the
entire partition 12 is frictionally coupled to the base member 14.
Thus, the retaining members 18a and 18b are designed with a
specific amount of interference to cause a spring action in its
material for gripping its corresponding mounting post 28.
In addition to the frictional forces associated with the gripping
members 30, the partition 12 is removably retained within the
interior of the device box 10 by lid 16 which abuts the top edge 22
of the partition 12 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Accordingly, the
gripping members 30 can be formed without the friction fit or
spring action, if needed or desired.
With continued reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the C-shaped gripping
members 30 and their corresponding triangular brackets 29 are
preferably formed with the dividing member 17 from a hard yet
somewhat resilient material such as plastic. Preferably, a
conventional molding process is used to create an integral,
one-piece, unitary partition 12.
The lid 16 and the base member 14 are provided with knock-out
elements 36 and 38, respectively, which can be punched out to
create openings for receiving wiring from the exterior of the
device box into its interior. As shown in FIG. 1, separate wiring
systems such as power conductors 40 and communication conductor 42
can be guided into the sections 19 and 20 of the device box 10,
respectively. The base member 14 of the device box 10 includes one
or more mounting apertures 44 which are each configured to receive
a screw for mounting the device box 10 to a wall surface or any
other suitable mounting surface.
The components of the device box 10 now shall be described in
further detail in connection with FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5. The base
member 14 is preferably a substantially planar, rectangular member
formed from a substantially rigid material. Since the device box 10
is used in electrical applications, the base member 14 and the lid
16 are both preferably formed from a nonconductive, hard, synthetic
material such as plastic. Of course, other materials such as metal
can be used, if needed or desired.
As seen in FIG. 3, the base member 14 includes a pair of knock-out
elements 38, a plurality of mounting apertures 44 with a circular
reinforcing ridge 46 encircling each of the apertures 44, four
notches 48 formed in each of the four edges of base member 14, a
pair of oblong apertures 52 and 54 for mounting the base member 14
to another device box (not shown), a pair of curved reinforcing
ridges 56 and 58 extending partially around apertures 52 and 54,
respectively, two coupling flanges 60 extending upwardly from two
sides of the base member 14, and two positioning flanges 62
extending upwardly from each of the other two sides of base member
14. As mentioned above, the base member 14 is also provided with
four mounting posts 28 extending perpendicularly therefrom. Each
mounting post 28 is preferably formed on the base member 14 from
plastic using a molding process to create a unitary, one-piece,
integral member.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, each mounting post 28 is configured
with an axially extending bore 70 for receiving one of the screws
72 therein. Thus, screws 72 can be inserted through the apertures
66a and 66b of electrical device 15a and apertures 66c and 66d of
cover plate 106 with telecommunications device 15b coupled thereto
via a snap-fit and then threaded into the bores 70 of the posts 28
to secure the electrical device 15a and telecommunications device
15b within the box 10.
Alternatively, the base member 14 can be configured with only a
single mounting post or with three or more mounting posts in each
section. The spaced-apart pair of mounting posts in each section of
the device box, however, best accommodates the installation of most
electrical/telecom devices such as switches, connectors, etc.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base member 14 is formed with one of
the mounting apertures 44 located in each corner of base member 14.
These apertures 44 are configured to receive screws (not shown) for
mounting the base member 14 to another surface such as a wall in a
residential or commercial building. Each aperture 44 is surrounded
by a circular, stiffening or reinforcing ridge 46 which reinforces
the area of the base member 14 around the aperture 44 to reduce
cracking and other stress fractures resulting from applying torque
to a screw threaded through the aperture. The ridges 46 are also
designed to meet specifications of Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
for preventing contact between wires and the heads of screws
inserted in the apertures.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device box 10 can optionally be
provided with additional apertures by punching the circular
knock-out elements 38 of base member 14 or the rectangular knockout
elements 36 of lid 16. Thus, wiring can be guided either through an
opening in the surface on which the device box is mounted and into
the interior of the device box via an aperture in the base member
14, or through an opening in the lid 16 via a raceway or conduit
68.
Preferably, the lid 16 is provided with one knock-out element 36 on
each of its four sides. Thus, wiring which is guided through
raceway or conduit 68 along the surface on which the box 10 is
mounted, and then can enter the interior of the box 10 via the lid
16, as opposed to through the base member 14. Preferably, each of
the knockout elements 36 is formed with a pair of U-shaped
recesses, as illustrated in connection with knockout element 36 in
FIG. 2, to accommodate different sizes of conduits or raceways.
Thus, knockout elements 36 can accommodate two different sizes of
raceway or conduit 68 by breaking-away the knockout elements 36
either along one or the other of the two U-shaped recesses.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the four notches 48 in the sides of base
member 14 facilitate alignment of an aperture, which is created in
the side of the lid 16 by removing a knockout element 36, with a
conduit or raceway 68 that feeds wires through the aperture.
As shown in FIG. 2, the base member 14 comprises two arcuate ridges
56 and 58 extending between the rectangular ridge 50 and an
adjacent mounting post 28 for surrounding oblong apertures 52 and
54. The oblong apertures 52 and 54 allow the base member 14 to be
secured to a wall or another device box. The arcuate ridges 56 and
58 prevent cracking and meet the UL specifications discussed above
in connection with the ridge 46.
The cooperation of the lid 16 with the base member 14 is described
with continued reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Two of the four sides of
the base member 14 are provided with two rectangular coupling
flanges 60, while the other two sides of the base member 14 are
provided with a pair of positioning flanges 62.
The edge of each side of base member 14 is provided with four
notches 48 as well as an essentially centrally located rectangular
protrusion 92. The rectangular protrusion 92 serves as a visible
indication of the midpoints along the base member 14 sides to aide
a human operator when installing the box 10.
As seen in FIG. 7, the coupling flanges 60 include a rectangular
recess 94. Preferably, the recess 94 extends completely through the
flange 60 to create a rectangular aperture. The top surface of the
recess 94 is formed diagonally with respect to the vertical axis of
the flange 60 to create an angled lip 96. As shown in FIG. 7, the
angled lip 96 cooperates with a correspondingly angled surface 98
associated with a triangular protrusion 100, which extends from the
interior wall of the lid 16, to permit a snap-fit assembly of the
lid 16 and the base member 14.
With reference to FIG. 2, the lid 16 corresponds in shape to the
base member 14. The interior perimeter of the lid 16 is slightly
larger than the outer perimeter of the base member 14. When the lid
16 slidably engages the four coupling flanges 60 and four
positioning flanges 62 of base member 14, the lid 16 is removably
mounted on the base member 14 by the snap-fit cooperation between
the angled lip 96 on four of the coupling flanges 60 with the upper
surface of several triangular protrusions 100 provided on the
interior surface of the lid 16. For example, a set of three
triangular protrusions 100 for each flange having a recess can be
formed on the lid 16 from plastic as a unitary, one-piece member
using a molding process. Each set of protrusions 100 can be
disposed on the interior of the lid 16 so as to be opposite the
aperture 94 of its corresponding flange 60 when the lid 16 and base
member 14 are assembled together. The lid 16 can be relatively
easily removed from the base member 14, even when the base member
14 is secured to a surface, by overcoming the frictional forces
between the flanges and the lid 16, and provided by the snap-fit
cooperation of the triangular protrusions 100 with the angled lip
96 in the rectangular apertures 94.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the lid 16 is formed with a large
geometrically shaped opening 102 to expose the base member 14 and
any devices secured to the mounting posts 28. The opening 102 is
characterized by a recess forming a lip 104 around the opening. A
rectangular cover plate 106 can be placed over the opening, the
perimeter of which is defined by the lip 104, and secured against
the lip 104 to enclose the interior of the box. The cover plate 106
can be flush with the lid 16 for improved aesthetics. Mounting
apertures 66c, 66d, 108a and 108b are provided in the cover plate
106 and aligned with a pair of posts 28 and a pair of apertures 110
in a device which is mounted within the box 10. A screw 112 can be
driven through each of the aligned apertures 108 in the cover plate
106 and then threaded into apertures 110 of the device 15a, while a
pair of screws 72 are threaded into two of the posts 28 for rigidly
securing the cover 106 plate in its place.
The partition 12 of the present invention overcomes many of the
limitations and disadvantages associated with the partitions of the
prior art. The partition 12 is frictionally and removably engaged
within the interior of a device box 10 having a mounting post 28
without the aid of screws or other separate fasteners. The
partition 12 is readily removable from the interior of the device
box 10 by removing the lid 16 and sliding the retaining members 18a
and 18b off their respective mounting posts 28. The retaining
members 18a and 18b can also provide lateral support to partition
12. Further, the partition 12 is relatively inexpensive and easy to
manufacture because it can consist of a unitary piece formed from a
preferably resilient material such as plastic.
While only one embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the present
invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications can be made herein without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
appended claims.
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